Adelaide to host world leading congress on child abuse and neglect

Wednesday 24 October 2018

The State Government has won a bid to host a world leading congress, with more than 1000 international experts set to converge on Adelaide in late 2020 to discuss new and innovative ways to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect.

Minister for Child Protection Rachel Sanderson said the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) International Congress will bring together Australian and international experts to share ways to help treat and prevent child abuse.

“The new Liberal Government was invited to submit a bid for the right to host this Congress and I’m thrilled we won it – this shows our commitment to reforming and improving child protection services,” said Minister Sanderson.

“Hosting this event in Adelaide shows the world that we are fully committed to world’s best practice and the wellbeing of our children. It enables us to contribute and listen to global conversation in this field.

“As we implement significant system reform it will be invaluable to share our understandings and outcomes with world leading experts.”

The Congress is expected to inject more than $5 million into the state’s economy.

ISPCAN Executive Director Pragathi Tummala said they were excited to bring the event to South Australia.

“We have no doubt that the legacy of the Congress will further the mission of child abuse and neglect prevention within the region,” said Ms Tummala.

“Every country can do more, and children are our most precious resource.”

The ISPCAN Congress is held every two years and will see experts from more than 100 countries come together in Adelaide from November 15-18, 2020.

The event will be led by the Early Intervention Research Directorate (EIRD), as well as the Department for Child Protection, and non-government partners.